The Leinster Listen

Episode 62, and Ireland's Nations Championship summer rolls on — Andy Farrell makes nine changes and hands four debuts for the Round 2 clash with Japan at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Saturday morning. Tadhg Beirne captains a rotated side, Sean Jansen starts at No 8, and Eddie Jones returns to the Japan dugout after his suspension. The team sheets are in. Here is what I'm hitting on this...

Episode 61, and Ireland are off the mark in the Nations Championship — Andy Farrell's injury-hit side came from 12 points down to beat Joe Schmidt's Wallabies 33-31 in a madcap thriller at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Hugo Keenan was official Man of the Match — try-saving tackle on Suaalii and the bonus-point score — Tom Clarkson's 77th-minute try sealed it, and Ben Donaldson missed two l...

Episode 60, and Ireland's Nations Championship summer is here — Andy Farrell's side open the Southern Series against Joe Schmidt's Wallabies at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday morning. Sam and Cian Prendergast become the first brothers to start together for Ireland in the same team, Dan Sheehan captains with Doris and Crowley ruled out, and the team sheets are in. Here is what I'm...

Episode 59, and the club season is done — back-to-back URC champions, Leo Cullen's departure announced, and now the focus shifts to Andy Farrell's Ireland squad heading south for the inaugural Nations Championship. Jack Crowley is ruled out, which leaves four fly-halves in the squad: Sam Prendergast, Harry Byrne, Ciarán Frawley, and Nathan Doak — the Ulster scrum-half who can also play 10. Here is...

Episode 58, and Leinster are back-to-back BKT United Rugby Championship champions after a stunning 36-7 hammering of the Vodacom Bulls at Croke Park on Friday night. Déjà vu from last year's final — five tries, 22-0 at half-time, and Sam Prendergast running the show on the night we saved our best rugby for the biggest stage. James Lowe, Rieko Ioane, Luke McGrath, and Jerry Cahir bow out as winners...

Episode 57, and we're back at Croke Park for the BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final, an exact repeat of last year's decider as Leinster defend their title against the Vodacom Bulls on Friday night. Leo Cullen has named a side with Tadhg Furlong returning, Caelan Doris passed fit, and James Lowe starting in his final game for the province, while Johan Ackermann's Bulls arrive at full strengt...

Episode 56 is a different kind of show — a year in review across Leinster, the URC, the Investec Champions Cup, Irish rugby, and the wider game. Three sections, headline-style — I'm talking through it naturally, not reading a script. 🏉 Leinster news — From the Cape Town shutout to Bordeaux heartbreak, the Lions demolition, the Stormers semi, Nienaber's press conference, and a big academy year. 👩...

We did it! I'm back for Episode 55, and Leinster are through to the BKT United Rugby Championship Grand Final after a hard-fought 20-11 win over the DHL Stormers at the Aviva Stadium. It wasn't pretty at times — but when the stakes were highest, the boys in blue found a way. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 BKT United Rugby Championship match results; My run-through of both semi...

I'm back for Episode 54, and this week it's all systems go as we preview the massive BKT United Rugby Championship semi-final against the DHL Stormers at the Aviva Stadium. After that statement 59-10 quarter-final win over the Lions, Leo Cullen has named a seriously strong XV — but the Cape Town side arrive in Dublin with serious pedigree, a head-to-head edge in the competition, and a 35-0 memory...

What a response! I’m back behind the mic for Episode 53, and the healing process from Bilbao has officially begun. We absolute clicked at the Aviva Stadium, bouncing back in spectacular style to put a staggering 59 points past a dangerous Fidelity SecureDrive Lions side to march right into the final four. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 URC Quarter-Final Match Results; My run-t...

The United Rugby Championship playoffs are here! I’m back behind the mic for Episode 52, breaking down a crucial knockout clash at the Aviva Stadium as we look to dust ourselves off and launch a massive charge for domestic silverware against a dangerous Lions side. Here is what I'm hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 URC game predictions; My comprehensive forecasts and winner picks for all four hig...

Bordeaux blew Leinster away 41-19 in Bilbao and completed a French hat-trick of European titles. The fifth star stays out of reach for another year. A blistering first half in the Spanish sun proved too much for Leinster, with the heat and the intensity of the reigning champions combining to unravel them in the worst possible way. A brutal end to the season, but one that demands honest reflection...

The biggest weekend in European club rugby is finally here! We break down the massive double-header in Spain as Leinster head to the San Mamés Stadium to battle reigning champions Union Bordeaux Bègles for that elusive fifth star. Here is what we are hitting on this week's episode: 🏆 Investec Champions Cup Final Prediction: A deep dive into how Leinster can topple the reigning champions, Bordeaux...

Before we get into the rugby, a massive shoutout to Westmeath this weekend. The senior men claimed the Leinster GAA football title and the intermediate women's side did the same. A proud weekend for the county and well worth acknowledging before we dive in. Back to Province business, and Leinster saved their best for last in the regular season, putting the Ospreys to the sword in a dominant displa...

One last outing before Bilbao. Leinster sit third in the table and can still finish as high as second since the Stormers slip up in Cardiff, but with a Champions Cup final looming next weekend, rotation and freshness will be just as much on Leo's mind as the final league position. The Ospreys arrive in 11th place with nothing to play for but also nothing to lose. 🔮 URC Results, Fixtures and Predi...

Leinster got the job done, but the Lions made them work every minute of it. The scoreboard flatters the hosts somewhat, with the South Africans causing real problems throughout and pushing Leinster closer than most expected. An individual masterclass ultimately proved the difference, and the top four is secure heading into the final round. One eye is already on Bilbao. 🌍 URC Match Results; How th...

Fresh off a nervy Champions Cup semi-final win over Toulon, Leinster return to URC action this Saturday for a penultimate round blockbuster at the Aviva. The Lions and Leinster are level on points with two games to go, with a win crucial for securing a place in the top four. The Lions arrive on a six-match winning streak and full of confidence. The Aviva fortress awaits 🔮 URC Game Predictions; Ho...

We got there, but only just. Leinster were the better side for large stretches of a gripping semi-final at the Aviva, building a 29-11 lead before Toulon came roaring back to make it a nerve-shredding finish. Job done, Bilbao booked, but there will be plenty to fix before the biggest day of the season. 🏆 Investec Champions Cup Semi-Final Results; Leinster through 29-25, and Bordeaux Begles beat B...

Leinster had it all sewn up and let it slip. A dominant first half gave every indication of a comfortable away win, but the second half told a completely different story as Benetton grew into the game and nicked it with a penalty in the dying moments. A result that stings, and one that will have serious implications for Leinster's push for the top two. 🌍 URC Weekend Roundup; The results from acro...

Leinster head to Treviso looking to keep the pressure on at the top of the table, with the top two still very much in their sights. Leinster sit third, level with the Stormers on 51 points and four behind Glasgow, so a bonus point win in the Italian sunshine is the target. Benetton are in 13th place and have only won once in their last seven URC matches, but Leinster have a poor away record outsid...

Job done, but it took a while to get going. Leinster were flat in the first half, giving Sale just enough hope to hang around, before turning on the afterburners after the break and putting the Sharks to the sword in ruthless fashion. The Aviva crowd got their European night in the end, and Leinster are into the last four. 🏆 Champions Cup Quarter-Final Results; How the other ties played out and w...

European knockout rugby is back at the Aviva. Leinster host Sale Sharks in the Investec Champions Cup quarter-final on Saturday evening, unbeaten in Europe all season and with a home crowd behind them. Sale arrive as proper underdogs with a front row crisis, but they have nothing to lose and Alex Sanderson's side are not coming to Dublin to make up the numbers. One slip in discipline and this coul...

Back to the blue, and what a rollercoaster it was. After the Easter Sunday fireworks at the Aviva, Leinster have secured their spot in the final eight, but not without a serious scare from a resilient Edinburgh side. It was a game that had everything: tries, a shock lead for the visitors in the second half, and a clinical late surge led by our All Blacks recruit. While the 49–31 scoreline looks co...

Back to the heavy-duty stuff. After the Six Nations dust settles, the focus shifts from green back to blue as Leinster return to the Aviva this Easter Sunday. It’s a massive Round of 16 clash against an Edinburgh side that always travels with a point to prove. The road to Bilbao starts now. 🔮 ICC Knockout Predictions; How the Round of 16 bracket could shake out and which heavyweights are on upset...

Leinster needed a response after Glasgow and they got one in style. A dominant display at the Aviva put the Scarlets to the sword, with an individual masterclass lighting up the night and reminding everyone what this squad is capable of when they're firing on all cylinders. Back to winning ways and back in business. 🌍 URC Weekend Roundup; The results from across the league and what they mean for...